Crores go down drain

 

In 2013-14, Rs 275 crore was spent while it was Rs 440 crore in 2014-15. In addition, money from MP, MLA and Corporator Funds were also used for laying roads. The works were carried out at the zonal and circle levels.

 

The GHMC follows a tender base procedure wherein the lowest bid is given the contract. The tenders are called by the Zonal and Head office. 

 

Around 70 per cent of the main roads are BT roads since they can be dug overnight. CC roads are mostly laid in the inner circle. Maintenance cost of 1-km stretch costs the GHMC Rs 1 crore.

 

Experts say that given the amount of money spent, there should be improvements on road geometry, intersection, pedestrian side-walks and crossing facilities, traffic signage, marking, traffic signals and utility ducts. But the city roads maintained by the corporation do not have any of these properties. 

 

No criminal case has been booked on contractors despite road accidents caused due to broken stretches.

 

Despite spending crores on roads, the corporation, allocates for Bonalu and Ganesh festivals, allocates a few more crore for re-laying and pothole filling. 

 

Apart from having spent over Rs 715 crore only on roads, the GHMC has proposed Strategic Road Development Plan (SRDP) with a total budget of Rs 21,000 crore which include multi-grade flyovers, major corridor development, skywalks, road widening and new roads. 

 

The state government has already given a nod for 18 flyovers at various junctions in phase one. While another '1000 crore is expected to be spent under this plan in the coming years.